Koforidua, March 4, GNA - Negotiations are going on between the government and the Dutch government towards efforts to find a permanent solution to the water problem facing the Koforidua Municipality. This came to light following a visit to the Densuagya Water Works and other sections of the Ghana Water Company (GWC) at Koforidua by the Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Arie C.A van der Wiel and some officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday to familiarise themselves with the operations of the Company. This was disclosed to the media by the Eastern Regional Minster, Mr. Yaw Barimah, after he held a close door meeting with the Ambassador and the officials.

He said the visit followed an appeal by the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Dutch Government for the funding of the second phase of the on-going rehabilitation works on the water project.

Mr. Barimah said it became necessary to look at other avenues for funding because a French company, SADE, which worked on the phase one of the project couldn't raise more funds for the phase two which is estimated to cost 50 million Euros.

According to Mr. Barimah, the Dutch Ambassador would hold further discussions with the Ministry of Finance concerning the situation after which he would report the findings to the Dutch Government. The second phase of the water project when completed would supply water from the Volta Lake at Anyaboni in the Manya Krobo district.